On Wednesday, September 10, it was a temporary down tools for a number of rural towns and villages, as the annual ‘Take A Pride in Perthshire Awards’ took place at the Salutation Hotel, Perth.
Provost Liz Grant presented a number of awards to the deserving recipients of this very successful environmental initiative. The Take A Pride In Perthshire Campaign seeks to empower vibrant communities to work together to achieve horticultural and environmental improvements.
A total of 38 groups in Perth and Kinross are members and categories are designated by population size. The Ryder Cup 2014 was also celebrated with a special Ryder Cup themed category.
The Take A Pride in Perthshire awards were announced shortly after the penultimate national competition ‘Beautiful Scotland’, with Coupar Angus winning not just the large village category, but gaining the most points of all entrants in this highly competitive competition.
The sterling efforts of Blairgowrie and Rattray, Bridge of Earn, and Muthill bloom groups were all rewarded with Silver Gilt Medals.
Perth and Pitlochry have qualified for the prestigious RHS ‘Britain In Bloom’ finals the results of which will be announced on October 16 at a ceremony hosted by Bristol City Council.
Provost Liz Grant said: “We are very fortunate in Perth and Kinross to have an extraordinarily beautiful and striking landscape and the work of Bloom Committees throughout the area plays a vital part in maintaining this for residents and visitors alike.
“This spectacular effort sustained by hundreds of volunteers, and thousands of hours of voluntary effort of groups across our communities.
“The effort is even more significant this year, as all eyes are on Scotland, and we in Perth and Kinross are now the focus of the world’s attention as we will welcome visitors from all over the world to the Ryder Cup and Junior Ryder cup later this month.”
Category Winners of The Take A Pride In Perthshire Awards – 2014
Wee Village – Scotlandwell in Bloom
Small Village – Kinnesswood in Bloom
Large Village – Comrie in Colour
Small Country Town – Blairgowrie and Rattray in Bloom
Discretionary Awards
Most Improved Community – Carse in Bloom
Best Involvement with Schools – Coupar Angus Pride of Place
Best Community Involvement – Kinnesswood in Bloom
Outstanding Contribution Award – Graeme Smith, Milnathort in Bloom
Ryder Cup themed Display Awards
From a total of fourteen entrants, four finalists were announced – Brig in Bloom, Crieff in Leaf, Kinnesswood in Bloom and Stanley in Bloom. The winning entry will be announced at a Civic Reception hosted by the Provost at The Gleneagles Hotel on Sunday, September 14.
